Help Save the (Small) World

The Small World is facing its biggest crisis in its 25 year history and urgently needs volunteers.

Need more encouragement?

• 47% of all volunteers say volunteering improves their physical fitness
• 25% who volunteer more than five times a year say it helps them lose weight
• 63% of people say volunteering helps them feel less stressed.

Can you save the Small World from closure?

Telephone: 01875 813992

Big Draw at the Small World!

We are delighted to be taking part in The Big Draw!

On Saturday 10^th October between 10 and 12, we are inviting visitors to pick up a pencil and draw either an item on display in the shop or, on the theme “A Day in the Life of...”.

All drawings will be put on display in the shop throughout October.

The Big Draw is the Campaign for Drawing’s flagship, with some 1300 drawing events across the UK each October. This month-long season celebrates creativity and encourages experiment and enjoyment uniting people of all ages, abilities and cultures.

The Big Draw extends the vocabulary of drawing and challenges conventions and preconceptions. It shows how pencil, pen, chalk or the computer mouse can inspire observation, imagination and invention. Drawing connects us with our environment and helps us to see, think and communicate.

The Big Draw is the UK’s biggest free visual art programme, annually involving over 300,000 participants aged 3-93.

Since 2000,The Big Draw has encouraged over two million people back to the drawing board and notched up two Guinness World records. Details of all Big Draw events can be seen at: www.campaignfordrawing.org.

New Autumn/Winter range now available

We have just taken delivery of new stock from Traidcraft's Autumn/Winter range are are very excited!

We are particularly fond of these quirky pots made from recycled magazines.

New jewellery items include the recycled glass and brass bangles and these beautiful dragonfly bracelets.

Remember, if we don't have an item in stock, we can order it for you.

With over 400 new fair trade products to choose from as well as old favourites, there is something for everyone in our latest range.

Pick up your catalogue today!

Fair Trade Father's Day

This year, Father's Day falls on Sunday 21st June.

For a 'foodie' father, how about making up a hamper of chocolate, Lime Pickles, Hot Mango Chutney or Curry Sauce?

'Desk Dads' might like a new mug, paperweight, desk tidy or a picture frame.


Gifts from our gardening range, wine glasses or bowls are always popular choices for male gifts.

For something a little different, we suggest a CD of world music, a backgammon set or coasters.

In the Small World shop, we have lots of pocket-money priced items such as wine bottle stoppers for £1 and of course a wide range of beautiful cards- some of which, like the keyring card, are a gift in themselves.

So, pop into 9A Orchard Crescent, Prestonpans - and don't forget the wrapping paper!

REDUCED - Organic Dark Chocolate & Peppermint Crisp

Hurry they are going fast!

Crunchy peppermint crystals made with natural flavours and Filipino cane sugar, encased in organic dark chocolate with a minimum 58% cocoa content.

Small World @ The Three Harbours Arts Festival

Small World is excited to be 'Venue 39' in this year’s 3 Harbours Arts Festival of 'Art in Unusual Places' and will be exhibiting a selection of hand-embroidered and sequinned cards in the shop.

The cards from the Swajan range have been made by Bangladeshi craftswomen earning a fair wage for their traditional skills such as patchwork, appliqué, and mirror work .

Volunteer Bernice Jones said “One of the things we hear most often about the Small World shop is ‘I keep meaning to go in there’ so hopefully, the exhibition will encourage people to venture in for the first time with no obligation to purchase”

“This is the first time we have taken part in the 3 Harbours and will also have items for sale at an ‘Arabian Nights’ themed event in Prestonpans Library from 2 p.m. on Friday 12th June."

The Fair Trade card exhibition is open during normal shop hours and runs for the length of the festival (5 to 14 June 2009).

Volunteers' Week

Volunteers' Week (1-7 June) is the UK's annual celebration of the work volunteers do. It plays a huge part in raising the the profile of volunteers across the UK and, just happens to coincide with our busiest time of year.

Many schools and churches are now holding their summer fayres and take our stock on a sale-or-return basis, so we need volunteers to pack orders, price goods and serve customers.

People are surprised to learn that these type of events account for the majority of our sales, rather than in the shop itself. We use paper-based record keeping (so there is no complicated till or computer to learn!).

The current pool of around a dozen volunteers, come, not just from Prestonpans, but Port Seton, Longniddry, Gullane, Musselburgh and Joppa and are a mixed bunch including retired professionals, career breakers and part-time workers.

We are lucky to have such great volunteers - some of whom turn their hand to other tasks such as painting or minor DIY when necessary. Others use the skills gained in their professional lives and give talks on Fair trade to community organisations.

However, we are currently stretched to the limit and desperately need more volunteers in the shop to ensure we can continue with our current opening hours (Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 10-12 & 2-4 and Saturday 10-12).

If you could give just two hours please call into the shop.